BHEESHMASHTAMI (Bhishma Ashtami)
	In the Mahabharat War, Bheeshma  was on the side of the Kauravas fighting against the Pandavas. Bheeshma had a pledge that he would not use any weapon against a woman. So, on Sri Krishna’s advice,  the Pansdavas brought Shikhandi  in the forefront to fight against Bheeshma. Shikhandi  was a eunuch. Because of his pledge , Bheeshma did not use any weapon against Shikhandi and got seriously  wounded. He was ordained to seek his death whenever he wanted. Since he wanted to die in Uttarayan . he lay in a bed of arrows created by Arjun for 18 days.
Erukku Plant	Kusha Grass (Dharbh)
On the seventh day (Sapthami Thithi)  of the Shukla Paksham of Magh month (Thai month in Tamil) , the sun’s chariot turns back from Dakshina Ayanam to Uttara Ayanam. This day is called Ratha Sapthami and people have a snan with 5 leaves of the Erukka plant and some akshadha( rice ) on the head.  The eighth day (Ashtami Thithi) of Shukla Paksham of Magh month , Bheeshma chose to get rid of his earthly body and liberate his soul. This day  is observed as Bheeshmashtami and  tharpanam for  Bheeshma Pitamahar is done with Kush (Dharbha Grass) and  Til (Ellu).  Since Bheeshma Pitamahar  was a naishtika brahmachari and has no one to perform his shradha , all persons  , including those with living father, can do the tharpan to get rid of all papam (sins). It is believed that that those who do not have a child  due to Putradosha are relieved of that dosha by performing this tharpan on Bheeshmashtami.	<